Trump Delays New START Treaty Decision, Calls for New Talks with Russia, China

Senior Policy Director Alexandra Bell spoke with U.S. News and World Report about a potential decision on whether to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia.

The Trump administration has faced sharp criticism for its position on the New START treaty, particularly in insisting the agreement must include China, even though it was not previously designed to address any other country’s arsenals.

“It doesn’t protect against fire-breathing dragons either,” says Alexandra Bell, senior policy director for the disarmament non-profit Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. “You should never gamble with something you are not willing to lose and we cannot afford to lose New START.”

Rumors had circulated this week that the U.S. may allow the treaty to expire in an attempt to push for a new deal that also includes China, though Politico reported the administration is considering a short-term extension.

“New START isn’t so much leverage as it is a life preserver, allowing us to have real-time insights into each other’s strategic arsenals,” Bell says. She added of the Trump administration’s consideration for allowing it to expire, “It’s an absolutely reckless thing to gamble away in the hopes of creating something larger.” Read more